There are actually six lists of names in use for storms in the Atlantic. These lists rotate, one each year; the list of this year's names will not be reused until 2014. The names get recycled each time the list comes up, with one exception: storms so devastating that reusing the name is inappropriate. In this case, the name is taken off the list and another name is used to replace it; there will not be another Hurricane Andrew, because Alex has replaced Andrew on the list. The lists contain names that begin from A to W, but exclude names that begin with a "Q" or "U.

A storm must start as a Tropical Depression and move on to become a Tropical Storm before it is given a name. Once a storm is named, preparations for the possible hurricane should be well under way. Here is the list of hurricane names for 2011; Each name will be changed to a highlighted background when the storm is no longer active or no longer poses a threat to our area.
 

1.

Arlene

 Named Tropical Storm 6/28 Gulf of Mexico.  Expected to have minor impact to Mexico and parts of southern Texas.

2.

Bret

 Named as Tropical Storm 7/17 in Atlantic; expected to pose no threat to US.

3.

Cindy

 Named as Tropical Storm 7/20 in Atlantic; current forecast track expected to be same as Bret and no threat to US.

4.

Don

 Formed 7/27 in the waters off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on a track that will take it into southeastern Texas.

5.

Emily

 Named as Tropical Storm 8/1 - Projected track uncertain at this time. Some models indicating tracking out into the Atlantic with rain events impacting the east coast of Florida.  However continue monitoring this storm for changes in the track.

6.

Franklin

 Named as Tropical Storm 8/13 off the coast of Bermuda.  Not expected to pose threat to land.

7.

Gert

 Named as Tropical Storm 8/13 - expected to drop up to 3 inches of rain on Bermuda as it passes just east of the island on Monday 8/15. Forecasters expect the storm to move out to sea with no land impact.

8.

Harvey

 Named as Tropical Storm 8/19 - expected to impact Honduras, Guatemala and Belize with heavy rains and wind.

9.

Irene

 Designated TS 8/20; intensified as Hurricane 8/22.  Tracking models all differ, but is believed at this time, to impact eastern coast of Florida. Update 8/25:  significant impacts are likely along the United States East Coast (from the Carolinas, northward to New York and New England) regardless of  the exact track of this storm. Impacted east coast of the US from NC to Maine.

10.

Jose

 Named as TS 8/28 and dissipated in the Atlantic 8/30.  Forecasters believe shear from Hurricane Irene impeded the development of this storm formation.

11.

Katia

 Named as TS 8/30.  Expecting further development, but too early to project tracking.9/1 Cat1 hurricane, strengthening expected-uncertain if it will impact any land areas. No impact to the U.S.

12.

Lee

 Named as TS 9/2. Will produce heavy rain downpours to the SE and NE.

13.

Maria

 Named as TS 9/7.   moving westward in the Atlantic away from the U.S. and losing strength. 9/12 Maria may impact Bermuda.

14.

Nate

 Named as TS 9/7 expected to become hurricane within the next day or two tracking NW toward Mexico and may produce 2-4 inches of rain.

15.

Ophelia

 Named as TS 9/20 currently tracking westward, with some forecasters saying wind shear may weaken the storm causing it to dissipate; not expected to be a threat to Florida at this time

16.

Philippe

 Not expected to impact any land areas-forecast to remain in the Atlantic

17.

Rina

 Named as TS 10/13; reached hurricane strength 10/25; expected to impact Yucatan Peninsula. Some models indicate a turn toward Florida later this week.  We are monitoring this storm for future track. 10/27:  storm weakening, not expected to be major threat to our area; perhaps a rain event.

18.

Sean

  

19.

Tammy

  

20.

Vince

  

21.

Whitney